There’s an entrepreneurial spirit that flows through the Gold Coast – continually evolving the city into a renowned hub for creativity and innovation.

The city’s designers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs are creating an energy that’s hard to ignore.

Whether it’s in food, fashion, health or advanced manufacturing – local companies continue to produce the goods. Here are 20 internationally respected brands and products from the Gold Coast:

1. Jon Cox Creature Workshop – Sculptures for feature films

John Cox and his creature workshop team bring animals and fantasy creatures to life.

His work on the 1995 world-wide hit film Babe, rewarded him with an Academy Award for best Visual Effects. Cox has also worked on big blockbusters such as Narnia – Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Nim’s Island, Peter Pan, Scooby Doo, Crocodile Dundee in LA and Inspector Gadget 2.

When digital effects superseded much of the work Cox and his team used to do, the Creature Workshop switched to making large-scale sculptures for feature films, commercials, public art and theme parks, using the latest technology in laser scanning and 3D modelling.

2. Evolve Skateboards – Electric skateboards

Jeff Anning and his wife Fleur founded Evolve Skateboards – Australian designed high performance electric skateboards.

The Arundel-headquartered business has achieved global distribution into 30 countries in three years and has grown from selling 200 boards a year to selling more than 7000 annually.

Evolve ultimately aims to combine the best in longboard design with the lightest, smallest and most efficient in electric motor technology.

3. DMS – Surfboards

Founder Dan MacDonald introduced the idea of the ‘carbon wrap’, a carbon ‘ribbon’ that is laminated onto the board and eliminates the traditional need for a reinforcing ‘stringer’ running down the centre of the board.

MacDonald’s carbon wrapping has generated such a buzz that he recently signed an exclusive partnership with Lost Mayhem to use the patented technology on its boards across the globe.

4. Dillenger – Electric bikes

A Gold Coast engineering firm created a prototype electric bike just for fun, unaware that the little side project would soon see them producing one of the world’s most successful ebike businesses.

Since 2007, Dillenger has grown from a modest Southport based business to one of the largest international manufacturers and suppliers of electronic bikes and parts – distributing to 18 countries worldwide with two additional offices in the United States.

5. Riviera – Luxury Motor Yachts

Riviera is the largest and most awarded luxury yacht builder in Australia and a leader in the global marine industry.

The Coomera-based business builds yachts from 36 to 77 feet in length across five model collections: the Flybridge range, Sport Yachts, the SUV series, Sports Motor Yachts and Belize Motor Yachts.

6. Yellow Goat Design – Luxury lighting

Yellow Goat Designs are known for beautiful sculptural lighting installations that make major statements in the foyers of leading hotels and prestige commercial buildings, and in clubs, casinos and shopping centres in Australia and overseas.

They have also opened a design and sales office in the US and utilise a factory in Canada to cater to the strong demand in the US.

7. Dos Ombré – Luxe bohemian homewares

To Andrea, the Dos Ombré philosophy is simple: “your home should reflect the journey you take and items bring a sense of place into your abode, making your house a home”.

8. YCL Jewels – Handcrafted jewellery

Your Core Light (YCL) Jewels is an award-winning brand and each piece is designed by creative director Fabienne Costa, a Gold Coast based designer with over 10 years of artisanal jewellery making experience

YCL Jewels draw on timeless looks to create pieces that are designed in alignment with the energy centres of the body, also known as ‘chakras’.

Costa believes that the jewellery a woman wears evokes an energy about who she is and who she wants to be.

10. Amazonia – Acai, supplements and protein

Dwayne Martens founded Amazonia in 2009, creating a range of raw and organic food products including Açaí, supplements and protein.

The Gold Coast headquartered business has a presence in more than 10 countries around the globe.

While Martens says the industry of strange and spectacular fruit was not one he contemplated working in, he says he always had a flair for entrepreneurship and prides himself on pioneering and revolutionising the health food space.

12. Balter Brewing Company – Beer

World champion surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, along with pro surfers Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr, are riding a wave of success after opening Balter Brewing Company.

Since 2016, the brewery has picked up a range of medals including 2 CBIA Gold, 1 AIBA Gold and AIBA Best International Pale Ale, along with other silver and bronze medals for their entire range of beers.

13. Burleigh Brewing – Craft beer

Varieties include HEF, a German-style, unfiltered wheat beer that won gold at the Brewers Association World Beer Cup in San Diego, beating the Germans at their own game, and Black Giraffe flavoured brew, which won its category for the third year running at the World Beer championships in Chicago.

14. NAT – Skincare range

NAT Skincare is the latest range developed by the Natalie Group, one of Australia’s leading and established natural beauty, skin and body care and aromatherapy manufacturers.

15. Sean Scott Photography – Landscape prints

Sean Scott captures mother nature’s finest moments and is most known for his ocean landscape photography.

Over the years he has gained a great deal of recognition worldwide through his popular Instagram page, and also has a Burleigh shopfront selling his compelling prints.

16. Grace Loves Lace – Wedding gowns

Since 2010, Gold Coast wedding dress designer Megan Ziems has been pushing the boundaries of the international bridal industry with her avant garde approach to design and affordability through Grace Loves Lace.

Defining herself from the pack, Ziems launched into an aesthetic that incorporates luxurious French laces and a relaxed, bohemian feel, wrapped up in an affordable price point. The best part of it all, all of her dresses are proudly Australian designed and made.

17. Ugg Since 1974- Ugg boots

With over 30 styles available in a range of colours, Ugg Since 1974, has the largest range of designer sheepskin boots made in Australia.

They also have a range of limited edition and exclusive one-off sheepskin boots, such as the Vintage Denim collection.

Ugg Since 1974’s headquarters and factory outlet is based in Miami on the Gold Coast.

18. Annake – Swimwear

Anna Kempshall, with inspiration from local artists, conceived Annake – a swimwear label designed specifically for the confident, active and fun woman.

Annake is made from quality lycra fabrics, printed with designs by local Gold Coast artists that are complemented with fine hand-crafted details.

19. Glo-X – Photoluminescent products

Glo-x is committed to making the world a brighter place through light recycling, which has led them to be dubbed a world leader in ‘powerless illumination’.

Founded in 2014 by Chris O’Neill and Dallyn Seale, the company develops a range of unique, high quality, photoluminescent (glow in the dark) products that can be applied across various industries including emergency services and in power poor areas.

Glo-X products include photoluminescent lacquers, resins, resin concentrates, granulates, foils and an unbreakable, powerless light globe. All products are ideal for use in areas where power is not readily available, but illumination is required.